As outlined in the Harvard Deusto Business Review article, inner leadership shifts the focus from individual decision-making to network leadership, creating spaces for diverse perspectives and fostering high-performance teams through relationship-building skills like empathy and active listening.
The foundation of inner leadership lies in self-knowledge. Leaders must first understand themselves – reflecting on who they are and who they want to become – before guiding others. Neuroscience insights play a key role in this process, enabling leaders to recognize cognitive biases and develop strategies to improve team performance. By leading from a place of authenticity, leaders can create more innovative, creative, and emotionally intelligent work environments, enhancing both individual and team performance.
To develop inner leadership, González and Adrada suggest six practical tools: (1) self-awareness, (2) self-management, (3) visualization, (4) resilience, (5) self-care, and (6) self-evaluation. These tools encourage leaders to reflect on their goals, manage their actions, build resilience, and prioritise well-being, all while fostering continuous self-improvement. Ultimately, inner leadership serves as a pathway to creating workplaces where collaboration, innovation, and employee well-being are at the forefront, offering leaders a comprehensive approach to professional and personal growth.
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Article summarized by : Timo Holtappels
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